[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province and a leading opposition presidential candidate, criticized on the 5th the fact that Roh Young-min, Chief of Staff to the President, owns an apartment in Banpo, calling it a "'Gangnambulpae' signal." He also revealed that he does not own any houses except for the one he lives in on Jeju Island.
On the 5th, Governor Won said on Facebook, "Even the 586 generation from the student activist background is obsessed with apartments in Gangnam. Honestly, they trust money more than ideology," expressing his view.
He explained, "It is a well-known fact among Koreans that investing in Gangnam apartments can yield huge profits. That is why politicians and bureaucrats who claim to control Gangnam housing prices do not sell their Gangnam homes."
Governor Won added, "My heart aches deeply for the frustration of the younger generation who have even given up on the dream of owning a home. Most people are obsessed with housing, and we cannot blame the younger generation for investing in real estate with desperate feelings, 'bringing even their soul' to it. Politicians and bureaucrats do the same," he said.
He stated, "I do not own a house in Seoul, let alone Gangnam. I currently have one 'house to live in' on Jeju Island. I believe that politicians engaged in public service should not have discrepancies between their words and actions," adding, "My wife shares the same view. Of course, there were temptations, but we believed that public figures should not make money through real estate."
He continued, "When I ran in the 2000 general election, I rented an apartment in Mok-dong, my electoral district, but in 2002, as the rent rose too much, I took out a loan and bought a residential-commercial complex apartment. When I ran for Jeju Governor in 2014, I sold that house," emphasizing, "Although I received many advices not to sell it, I did not hesitate at all."
Governor Won concluded, "My wife and I plan not to own any real estate other than the place we live in. I will not become a politician who owns a Gangnam apartment. If I am to talk about real estate policies, shouldn't I practice it myself first?"
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
